Transfer applying apparatus



June 16, 1942. r w. v. BOWMAN ETAL 86, TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Y Filed March 13, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l WADE Bowmmd CHasTee M. LATTH 3maent0t5 attorneys June 16, 1942. w. v. BOWMAN ETAL 2,286,458

TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS June 16, 1942. w. v. BOWMAN ETAL TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed ,Maz ch 13, 1941 Y June 16, 1942.

W. V. BOWMAN ET-AL,

TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Maroh 15, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 WnoaV. BOWMAN CHESTER m. Ln-r-m ZSnuentorS Ctttomeg 5 3 sum.

June 16, 1942. w. v, BOWMAN H M 2,286,458

TRANSFER AE PLYING APPARATUS Filed March 13, 1941 '8 Sheets-Sheet 6 WADE V- Bowman! CHESTER M. Ln'rrn ZSnnentorS (Ittomeg 5 June 16, 1942, w. v. BOWMAN ETAL TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Filed March 13, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 M. Lmm Enventors WnvE Bowmm CHESTER.

RAYoN a. COTTON @I'tipLe $0Le Gttorneg 5 M U SKQiGG Patented June 16, 1942 TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Wade V. Bowman and Chester M. Latta, Hickory, N. 0.

Application March 13, 1941, Serial No. 383,140

Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for applying transfer marks to hosiery, fabrics and the like, and more especially to a machine equipped with certain automatic features wherein the hosiery may be marked in rapid succession.

It is conventional practice to place upon the foot portion of hosiery, certain indicia such as the trade-mark, size, type of construction and the like. One of the most desirable modes of marking is to place opposite hand words in raised type on a transfer strip and then press the strip upon the hosiery by means of a heated iron, so that the type will adhere to the fabric. The letters are preferably formed of some suitable composition which will readily adhere to fabric and when subjected to heat will immediately transfer from the strip. The printed matter on the strip is usually backwards or opposite hand, but will show up in a legible manner on the hosiery after the transfer. Sometimes this type is made from a suitable composition which will readily wash from the fabric after laundering, thereby removing the indicia, which is primarily applied to the fabric for advertising and sales purposes. At other times, an indelible ink or coloring is used.

Heretofore, the method of applying these transfers to hosiery has been very slow. In fact, most concerns employ manual means altogether, which results in a lack of uniformity as well as poor production. Where two or more transfer marks have to be applied to each pair of hosiery, the operation is especially slow.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine capable of intermittently feeding a transfer strip in timed relation to the advance of spaced pairs of hosiery or other fabrics and for causing a heating element to automatically press the strip against the hosiery to efiect a transfer of the mark. Specifically the apparatus comprises the following: A conveyor belt is provided onto which pairs of hosiery are placed at predetermined spaced intervals. The conveyor belt is advanced intermittently and at the same time the strip is advanced intermittently as used.

When the hosiery and mark on the strip reach a heated iron, the belt stops for a very short interval of time and is lifted slightly after which the iron is lowered against the strip and hosiery to effect the transfer of the mark from the strip to the hosiery.

- It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the class described having means for automatically controlling the advance of the transfer strip, so that the raised letters thereon will stop in the proper position to be applied to the hosiery. The advancing of the strip is controlled by raised indicia thereon, which in turn serves to break a circuit and stop the strip when it has advanced to the proper position. It is therefore seen that the strip will be properly advanced each time a transfer is applied regardless of the indicia spacing used, as long as the indicia are equally spaced. This feature eliminates the possibility of poor positioning of the marking upon the fabric or hose.

It is another object of this invention to provide a transfer mechanism employing a plurality of transfer units, so that several strips can be employed for simultaneously applying a plurality of marks upon a pair of hosiery or other fabric.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the class described having means operable upon the absence of a pair of hosiery or fabric beneath the heating element for preventing the advancing of the transfer strip and for preventing the lowering of the heating element.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of an improved apparatus for applying transfer marks to fabrics, hosiery and the like;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at this near side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation looking at the far side of Figure 1;

Figure 4' is a longitudinal sectional detail view taken along the line 44 in Figure 1, showing a portion of the clutch control for operating the tape advancing mechanism;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line '55 in Figure 1, showing other portions of the tape advancing mechanism;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 1-1 in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view showing how the raised letters on the transfer strip serve to break a circuit which in turn controls the advancing mechanism;

Figure 11 is an isometric view of a portion of a transfer strip showing a raised opposite hand word th'ereon;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a foot portion of a stocking after the transfer marks have been applied thereto;

Figure 13 is an electrical wiring diagram. for the apparatus;

Figure 14 is a timing diagram of the apparatus.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral l denotes a framework for supporting a transfer mechanism, said framework having mounted thereon a motor Ii (Figures 1, 2 and 3) which motor has a shaft I2 upon which is fixedly secured a pulley l4. A belt I5 is mounted upon the pulley l4 and also upon a larger pulley It. The pulley It has secured to one face thereof smaller pulley l'l upon which a belt i3 is mounted, said belt being also mounted upon a larger pulley 20.

Conveyor drive has its upper end secured as at 21 to another lever 28, which lever is loosely mounted around a shaft 29, upon which a cylinder 30 is fixedly secured. The cylinder 30 has a belt 32 disposed therearound, which belt also is mounted around a second cylinder 33. The belt 32 is intermittently advanced to carry successive pairs of spaced hosiery, fabrics or the like beneath a transfer mechanism to be subsequently described.

The advancing means for the belt and for the cylinders 30 and 33 comprises a ratchet wheel 35 (Figure 3) whch is fixedly secured to shaft 29. A dog 36 is adapted to engage notches 31 in the periphery of the ratchet wheel and advance the ratchet wheel, the cylinders 33 and 33 and the belt 32, a predetermined amount each time the shaft 2! makes a revolution. The hosiery or other fabric will be spaced apart from each other on the belt distances equal to the intermittent advance of the belt. The guiding and spacing mechanism will be described in the following paragraphs.

Fabric guiding and spacing mechanism As the belt 32 is intermittently advanced by the mechanism previousl described, it is necessary to also intermittently advance in timed relation to the belt, a suitable fabric guiding and spacing mechanism. In other words, it is very essential in the operation of the present apparatus that the objects to be marked be placed in the proper positions upon the conveyor belt so that when each object to be marked advances beneath the transfer applying mechanism, it will be in position for receiving a transfer mark from a suitable transfer strip.

This mechanism in part comprises a suitable sprocket wheel 45 which forms an integral part of the ratchet wheel 35 and which is also fixedly mounted around shaft 29 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). Upon the sprocket 45. a chain 46 is mounted, which chain is also mounted upona smaller sprocket 41 on the free end of an arm 43, said arm being pivotally secured as at 49 to the side of framework iii. The free end of the arm 43 (see Figure 3) is adapted to rest upon a bracket 50, which, in turn, is adjustably secured to the side of the framework It by means of a set screw 5| penetrating a slot 52 in the upstanding I of the bracket. The set screw 5| is threadably secured in framework Iii. By raising or lowering the bracket 53. the elevation of the sprocket 41 and intermediate portion of chain 43 can be varied to thereby remove the slack.

The chain 43 is engaged by a suitable sprocket 55, on a shaft 55. This shaft is rotatably mounted in the free end of a frame 53, which frame is pivotally secured as at 53 to the opposed sides of the framework I II. By so mounting the frame 58 the free end thereof, including the shaft 56, and sprocket 55, can be rotated upwardly in a clockwise manner in Figure 2 or in a counterclockwise manner in Figure 3 when it is desired to gain access to the top portion of the belt 32 which is disposed beneath the frame. Frame 58 comprises a pair of bars, 54 and 65, which are fastened together by an intermediate tie rod 66, and tie bars 51. The free ends of the bars 54 and 65 form the end of the frame 58 which supports the transverse shaft 55 previously described.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the shaft 58 has three sprockets 38 slidably keyed thereon. there being a key way 53 disposed longitudinally of the shaft. Upon each of these sprockets is mounted a chain 10, which chains are also mounted upon three other sprockets 12, said sprockets 12 being rotatably mounted around a stationary shaft 13, thereby providing three sets of spacing chains which are simultaneously driven. The shaft 13 has its ends mounted in side bars 54 and 55. I

The hubs of sprockets 33 and I2 in each set have peripheral grooves 14 and 15 respectively therein in which the ends of a longitudinally disposed bar 15 is adapted to fit. The intermediate portion of the bar 15 is adjustably'secured to the transfer shaft 55 by means of a suitable set screw 18. The purpose of the bar 18 is to hold the sprockets 58 and 12 in alined position so that the chain 13 will travel in the proper path. If it is desired to vary the positions of the sprockets 68 and 12 of a set transversely of the belt 32, it

p is necessary tov loosen a set screw 18 and then engage the grooves I4 and 15 in such a manner.

that the turning of the sprockets 33 and 12, will not be retarded.

Each of the chains 10 has spaced lugs 30 pivoted thereto as at 8|, and these lugs are adapted to drop down onto the top side of the conveyor belt 32 in the manner shown in the left hand portion of Figures 1 and 2 to act as a guide to direct the positioning of a suitable fabric such as a pair of hose 32. The position a pair of hose is adapted to first occupy when placed upon the conveyor belt 32 is illustrated in Figure 1. Upon the continuous intermittent advance of both the conveyor belt and the chains 13, the hosiery 32 will be gripped between the chains I3 and the conveyor belt 32. When the next succeeding pair of lugs fall downwardly onto the belt, another pair of hosiery is placed in the same position as in the preceding case and this pair will likewise be advanced intermittently. In order to assist the operator in positioning the hosiery in the proper relation to the side of the belt 32, a suitable pointer 33 is provided (Figures 1 and 2). One end of the pointer indicates the position the heel of the hosiery should occupy relative to the belt 32 may be varied by simply loosening set screws (Figures 2 and 3) which screws penetrate suitable slots 65 in brackets 86. The screws Transfer tape advancing mechanism In the drawings, there are three transfer tape advancing mechanisms shown which operate simultaneously in timed relation to the advance of the conveyor belt to cause the indicia on the transfer strips to occupy the proper positions when the transfer is effected. The three advancing mechanisms are very similar in construction; therefore, a detailed description of only one will be made, but like reference characters will be applied to the others, where similar parts are employed. Three transfer strips namely 90, 9| and 92 simultaneously advance in timed relation to the travel of the belt 32 and the fabric 82 carried thereby (Figures 1, 2 and 9). The three strips 90, 9| and 92 are advanced by mechanisms broadly designated by reference characters 94, 95 and 96, respectively (see Figures 1, 2 and 6).

Strips 90, 9| and 92 emanate from rolls 91, 98 and 99 respectively, each of the rolls being mounted upon a hub or spindle I which is supported in stationary position by means of a bracket IOI. Pivotally secured as at I02 in each of the spindles I00 are arcuate leaf members I03. Rigidly secured at one end of each member I03 as at I02 is a lever I04 (see Figure 2) the lower end of which encircles a pin I05. A compression spring I06 is confined around the pin I05 by means of a nut I01. When the nut I01 is forced downwardly onto the pin I05, the free end of arcuate leaf member I03 is rotated in a clockwise manner in Figure 2 about point I02 to thereby cause the spindle I00 to be expanded, which increases the friction offered by the spindle to the interior of the roll.

After emanating from the strip rolls 91, 98, and 99 respective strips 90, 9| and 92 pass downwardly over rollers H0 in respective switch units III (Figures 9 and Each switch unit has mounted therein a suitable metallic member II2 of a long radius concavo-convex construction, the convex side thereof being adapted to support one side of the strip 90. The side of the strip opposite the apex of the convex side of the member H2 is supported by a rigid bar I I4. By referring to Figure 11, it will be seen that the transfer strip 90 has raised letters II6 placed thereon, said letters appearing backwards or opposite hand to regular printing. These letters are spaced on the strip at equal intervals. When the raised letters II6 pass between the bar H4 and the member II2, the member H2 is forced inwardly and'caused to rotate about its pivot point M. This inward movement of thememher II2 serves to open a suitable switch, to be later described, which in turn will cause the strip advancing means to immediately stop.

While the strip is in stationary position an advanced set of letters or indicia H6 is transferred from the transfer strip 90 to the object 82. After passing between members H2 and H4, the strip 90 passes over another roller II8 within unit H6 and then downwardly beneath a transverse rod II9. From the rod II9 thisstrip travels in a substantially horizontal plane until it reaches another rod I20, after which the tape passes up- .tapes 9| and 92 wardly between'drive rollers I2I and I22. The follow similar paths alongside strip 90, and these tapes are drawn through the apparatus by means of drive rollers 290, 291, 292 and 293 (Figure 6).

The roller tape I2I is positively driven at the proper time to cause the strip 90 to be.advanced. It is seen by observing Figure 9 that the transfer marks IIB are equally spaced upon the strip 90. The purpose of the advancing mechanism is to stop each of the spaced transfer marks of each strip at the proper position between the rods 9 and I so that upon the actuation of a heating element, the mark can be pressed into engagement with and transferred from the tape to the fabric. The mark which is actually applied to the hosiery or fabric does not effect the stopping of the advancing mechanism for the strip. However, one of the spaced marks or letters which is on the strip subsequently to be applied to another hose effects this stopping operation.

By referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the detailed construction of the strip advancing mechanism can be seen. The roller I2I is fixedly secured upon a shaft I by means of a suitable screw I26. This shaft I25 is rotatably supported by bars I21, I28, I29, I and I3I. Operatively secured to the right hand end of the shaft I25 (Figure 6) is the advancing unit 94 which unit advances the strip 90. The units 95 and 96 serve to advance strips 9| and 92 respectively in an identical manner.

Fixedly secured around the shaft I 25 by means of screw I33 is a ratchet I34, said ratchet being adapted to have the free end of a pawl I35 engage the periphery thereof, when advancing strip 90 (Figure 5). The upper end of pawl I35 is pivoted as at I36 to the upper end of a lever I31, and the lower end of this lever is mounted for oscillation around the shaft I25. A spring I38 has one end thereof attached to the lever I31 and its other end attached to the intermediate portion of pawl 35 to serve as a means for holding the free end of the pawl in engagement with the ratchet.

The intermediate portion of the lever I31 also has pivoted thereto as at I40, one end of a link I4I (see Figure 5). The other end of the link has a yoke I42 connected thereto which encircles an eccentrically mounted disk I 43,- said disk being secured to a shaft I44. Shaft I44 has a sprocket I45 on one end thereof (see Figures 1 and 2), said sprocket I45 having a chain I46 disposed thereon and said chain being also disposed around a sprocket I41 which is fixedly secured on shaft 2| previously described. As shaft 2| turns to cause the belt 32 to be inter mittently advanced and also to cause the guiding chains I0 for the hosiery to be intermittently advanced, the eccentric I43 will be constantly rotated by shaft I44. This rotation will effect oscillation of lever I31 and dog I35 to cause the ratchet I34 and its associated strip roller I2I to advance.

When the fabric 82 is properly positioned beneath the heating element to receive a transfer the oscillation of the dog I35 advances the strip a predetermined amount upon its forward stroke; however, the amount of the advance is always less than the distance between adjacent spaced marks II 6 on the strip. The additional advance of the strip necessary to place it in transfer position is supplied by a constantly rotating shaft, I44 in combination with a clutch for disconnecting it from the strip advancing rollers at the proper time. The apparatus is so timed that the dog I66 is always moving reversely on ratchet I64 when the clutch is disengaged and the transfer of the letters H6 is being effected.

The above mentioned clutch is interposed between the shaft I26 and the ratchet wheel I 64. By observing Figure 6, it can be seen that the ratchet I34 of advancing mechanism 64 has integral therewith a disk I60 to which is secured a lining I i. Another disk I62 is loosely mounted around the shaft I26 and the face of this disk is adapted to engage at times, the friction lining I5I when it is desired that the forward rotation of the ratchet I34 be supplemented to advance the strip to final transfer position. The

disk I52 also has integral therewith a sprocket I55 upon which a chain I56 is mounted, and this chain is also mounted upon another sprocket I61 fixedly secured around shaft I44 (Figures 5 and 6). Since the shaft I44 rotates constantly the sprocket I55 and disk I52 will be constantly rotated, but it is only when the clutch members I5I and I52 are engaged with each other that the rotation of sprockets I55 is imparted to the shaft I25 to cause the strip 60 to advance.

The clutch members I5I and I52 are adapted to be disengaged immediately upon the moving of the raised letters II6 between members H4 and H2 as shown in Figure 10. As heretofore stated, when this raised portion passes between members H2 and H4, a similar transfer'portion II6 will be disposed in transfer position directly beneath a transfer iron and at a point substantially midway between the rods H6 and I20 (Figure 9). When a transfer is made the dog I35 is in a rearmost position on ratchet wheel I64. Immediately thereafter the dog moves the ratchet forwardly to advance the portion II6 from between members H2 and H4, which will permit a circuit to be closed, which in turn will cause the clutch mechanism I 5I and I52 to engage each other. The clutch members will then cause the transfer strip to travel until the next spaced raised mark II6 moves between members H2 and H4 to break the circuit.

.A suitable thrust bearing I60 is disposed around the shaft I26 and against the face of I sprocket I55. Disposed adjacent the bearing I60 and also around the shaft I25 is a downwardly extending lever I6I (see Figure 4), the lower end of which has a link I62 connected thereto which extends longitudinally of the apparatus and has the other end thereof adjustably secured in a stationary upstanding bracket I66 by means of wing nuts I64. The upper portion of the lever I6I has projections I66 extending from one face thereof (see Figure 6) and these projections are disposed in the path of cam surfaces I61 on another lever I66. The lever I66 likewise is loosely secured around shaft I26. When the lever I66 is rotated in a clockwise manner in Figure 4, that is, when the lowerl end thereof moves away from the observer in Figure 6, the cam surfaces I61 engage the projections I66 and force members I52, I55, I60 and I6I'to the left in Flgure 6. This causes the disk I62 and friction lining I6I to become engaged thus causing the rotation of the sprocket I66 to rotate ratchet I34 and the shaft I25. By manipulating the wing nuts I64 (Figure 4), the stroke of solenoid I12 can be varied.

The lever I66 is rotated to effect the engagement of the above described clutch by means of a suitable link I16 (see Figures 3 and 4) which link has one end thereof secured to the lower end of said lever and has its other and connected to a suitable core "I, said core "I being slid-' ably mounted in a solenoid coil I12.

Circuit for solenoid 172 and switch unit 111.

Figure 4 by means of a tension spring I60. Of

course when the core "I is pulled to the right, the lever I66 is rotated in a counter-clockwise manner until it engages stop I6Ia; thus permitting the clutch to become disengaged and allowing the shaft I 26 and feed rolls I2I and I22 to stop. The other side of .the solenoid coil I12 has a wire I6I leading therefrom, the other end of which is connected to a coil I62 of a transformer I63. From the other side of the transformer coil I62, a wire I 64 leads to one side of a manual switch I65 and from the other side of the manual switch I66 leads to the other side of the switch bar I16 to complete the circuit.

Clutch stabilizer In order to apply a constant friction to the periphery of members I60 and I6I and I62, a suitable brake shoe I66 has been provided (Figure 5). This brake shoe is pivoted as at I 66 to a short shaft I61, said shaft being slidably mounted in a bracket I66. A compression spring I66 is disposed withinthe bracket I66 and has one end thereof engaging the endof the shaft I61, the other end of the compression spring being confined in the bracket I 66 by means of an adJustable screw 200. This constant friction exerted upon the members I66, I6I, and I62 serves to hold the parts I 6I and I62 in the position in which they may have stopped and thereby prevents movement of the strip 66 after it is so in position for receiving the heating element to transfer the lettering thereon to the fabric or hosiery.

Transfer strip advancing mechanism and heating element As heretofore stated, one of the purposes of the dog-I66 is to rack the raised portion II6 from between members II 4 and H2 immediately after the transfer operation has been eflected. It is evident that until this portion is racked from between these members, the switch III will remain open and the clutch will remain disengaged, consequently, the strip 66 cannot be advanced. However, upon the closing of the switch III, the bar I16 will establish connection between wires I16 and I66 so that the solenoid I12 will be energized which in turn will effect the engagement of the clutch to thereby cause the shaft I26 to be rotated by the chain I66 and shaft I44 previously described.

The actuation of the heating element and the transfer of the indicia' 6 from the tape 66 to the object 62 takes place while the dog I66 and arm I61 are moving in a counter-clockwise man'- ner (Figure 5) or backwardly relative to the tionally advanced exactly the right amount, the

solenoid I'l0 will be de-energized to disengage the clutch and stop the strip while the dog I35 is moving rearwardly.

Stroke adjuster for the advancing mechanism over the lower portion of slot '209 to determine the position that point 205a on cam 205 occupies relative to the free end of the dog I35. Point 205a on the cam 205 is disposed in the path of the free end of dog I35 and serves to raise this end out of engagement with the ratchet teeth during the reverse oscillation of the dog. By varying the position of the point 205a relative to the dog, the eflective stroke of the dog upon its forward oscillation can be varied. It is only after the free end of the dog moves off the high 2 portion at point 205a that the ratchet I34 is engaged.

Switch unit 111 It is seen by referring to Figure 9 that each switch assembly III is mounted for vertical adjustment upon a second framework 2I5, said framework being supported by previously described framework I0. A suitable vertical guideway or mortise 2; is provided in the framework 2 I and within this guideway, a tenon slide 2 I I is adapted to operate. This slide has the switch assembly III attached thereto as at 2I8. Threadably penetrating the slide 2I'I is a vertically disposed bolt 2I9, the upper end of which has a knurled nut 2I9a thereon which is used to turn the bolt. The intermediate portion of the bolt is rotatably mounted in an angle bracket 220 which in turn is supported by the framework 2I5. The purpose of mounting the switch assembly III for vertical adjustment is to insure that the raised indicia IIG upon the strip 90 will break the switch contact exactly at the proper time to thereby insure that the transfer indicia will be positioned properly relativ to the fabric 82 to which it is transferred. A jog switch 2 is provided (Figure 13) between wires H2 and 2I3, said wires being connected respectively to wires I15 and I85. The switch 2I I is manually closed when it is desired to advance strip 90 independently of the automatic advancing means previously described. Switch 2i I is connected in parallel .with switch I18 and is used when threading strips 90 in the machine.

Tape drive roll mounting Referring again to Figures 1, 2 and 6, it is seen that the top rollers I22, 2! and 293 are rotatably mounted upon transversely disposed-shaft 22I, the ends of said shaft being mounted in the free end of frames 222. The other end of the frames are pivoted as at 223 to framework 2 I 5. Tension springs 224 are associated with each of the frames 222 for normally pulling the free ends thereof downwardly to cause the bottoms of the rollers I22, 29I and 293 to firmly engage the upper portions of the tapes 90, SI and 92, and grip them against the tops of rollers I2I, 290, and 292 respectively.

. Belt lifting mechanism After the transfer strip has 'moved to the proper position and the belt 32 has stopped, another member moves upwardly to engage the bottom of the belt to move the belt and the fabric thereon upwardly into engagement with the bottom of the strip. By providing this type of mechanism the position of the strip is not disturbed, but is allowed to remain in a substantially horizontal position during the transfer (Figures 2 and 9). This upwardly moving member comprises a table 242, which table forms a portion of the bottom 243 onto which the top layer of the belt 32 is adapted to slide. The vertically movable table member 242 has downwardly extending shafts 244 and 244a which are slidably mounted in brackets 245 and 254a respectively, said brackets being secured to the bottom portion of stationary bottom 243. Also secured to the bottom of the member 242 are brackets 246 and 24'! having rollers 248a and 241a which normally rest upon the peripheries of cams 248 and 249 respectively. The cams are fixedly secured upon a transversely disposed shaft 250, said shaft 250 having a sprocket 25I mounted on one end thereof (Figure 3) upon which a chain 252 is mounted. This chain is also mounted upon a sprocket 253 which is mbunted upon the shaft 2|, previously described,

When the indicia H6 is in the proper position, the high side of the cams 248'and 249 serve to raise the table member 242 and the upper portion of belt 32 to dotted line position in Figure 9, after which a heating element 230 moves downwardly on the upper side of the strip 90.

Transfer mark applying mechanism After the strip has been advanced to the transfer position, that is after a transfer indicia I I6 is disposed approximately midway between rods I I9 and I20 (Figures 2 and 9) another mechanism is brought into action for applying heat to the upper side of the transfer strip and for pressing the strip into engagement with the fabric or a pair of hose 82 to effect the transfer operation. The necessary heat is provided by a suitable heating unit 230 which is adapted to be moved up and down in a path above the tape 90. This heating unit is supported by an inverted U-shaped bracket 23I (Figures 2, '7 and 9), said bracket having slots 232 and 233 which encircle shaft I44 previously described. The upper portions of bracket 23I have a compression spring 235 engaging the same, said compression spring having its upper end abutting the lower side of a portion of framework 2I5. It will also be noted that bracket 23I has associated therewith suitable plates 236 and 231 for supporting rollers 236a and 231a which rollers normally rest upon identical cams 238 and 239, respectively, and these cams in turn are fixedly secured-upon shaft I44.

Slots 232 and 233 alsoextend through plates 236 V and 231 respectively. When an indicia H5 is disposed directly beneath the heating element 230, the low sides of the cams 238 and 239 are adapted to be disposed beneath the rollers 238a Each of the plates 235 and 231 are adjustably se-.

cured to bracket 23I by means of bolts 248, which bolts penetrate vertical slots 2 in the bracket (Figures 7 and 8).

-eHeatina element circuit The heating element238 has a coil 255 in the lower portion thereof (Figures 9 and 13) one end of said cell having a wire 255 leading therefrom to a wire 251, said wire 251 forming one side of the main electrical supply circuit. The other side of the coil 255 has a wire 258 leading therefrom and the other end of this wire leads to one side of switch 258 of a pyrometer 213. Leading from the other side of switch 258 is a wire 258 which is connected to a wire 25I. The wire 25I constitutes the other side of the main electrical supply circuit.

Pyrometer 213 is a conventional structure a which is employed for indicating and controlling temperatures at predetermined levels. Wires 255 and 251 lead from the pyrometer 213 to an elec-' tuate the same, said motor being supplied with 1 current by wires 218. The heating element 238 is held in latched position as shown in Figures 7 and 9 by means of suitable hook latches 252, the lower ends of which engage portion 23Ia of bracket 23I. The upper end of the latches are fixedly-secured upon a transverse shaft 253. This shaft 253 is supported by the framework 2I5 and one end thereof has a downwardly extending lever 254 fixedly secured thereto (Figures 1 and 2). The lower end of this lever has a tension spring 255.connected thereto which normally 1 holds members 252 in latched position.

Hosiery feeler mechanism aasaaas spring 211 normally forces the foot portion 214 downwardly and at the same time forces the nuts,

215 against the framework 2 I5 in which the rods 215 are slidably mounted.

When the upper layer of'the belt 32 is moved to dotted line position, the upper surface of the belt will not be raised high enough to contact the lower surface of the foot 214; however, ifa pair of hosiery or other fabric of suitable thickness is disposed on top of the belt, then this added thickness will be sufllcient to raise the foot portion 124 and the rod 215 when the belt is raised. It will be further seen by referring to Figure 9 that the upper end of the rod 215-normally engages a plunger 218 which plunger 'servestoclose switch I15a of switch assembly 283. The switch assembly 283 is very similar to the switch III shown in detail in- Figure 10; however switch I15a is normally open and switch I15 is normally closed. In other words, the rod 215 closes switch I15a (Figure 13), when a pair of stockings or fabrics-"are disposed on top of the belt as it is raised against foot portion 214. Leading from one side of switch. I159 is a wire 284, the other end of which leads to wire I84 previously described. From the other side of the switch I15a, a wire 285 leads to one side of a solenoid 285, said solenoid having an arm 281 extending therefrom which is connected to the lower end of the arm 254 previously described (Figures 2 and 13).

From-the other side of the solenoid 285, a wire 288 leads back to wire I8I, which completes the "circuit. When the fabric 82 is disposed on the ever, it should be understood that the solenoid portant that so much of the transfer strip be Q used as required. Therefore, it is necessary that the transfer strip only be advanced a distance equal to the space between the marks thereon, when pairs of hosiery or other fabric 82 are positioned beneath the iron readyto have the mark applied. Furthermore, the iron should not be lowered against the belt 32 unless a fabric is present to be marked. The structure which is employed for performing these functions is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9 of the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figures '1 and 9, it is seen that a feele'r foot 214 is provided, the lower end of which is disposed a short distance above the top layer of belt 32. This feele'r foot is supported by a vertically disposed rod 215, which rod is slidably mounted in framework 2| 5. The upper end of the rod has suitable nuts 215 threadably secured therearound which act as a shoulder to limit the downward movement of the foot piece 214 and also serve to adjust the elevation of the foot piece 214. A compression 285.is actuated to perform the unlatching operation. Spring 255 is employed to relatch the iron when it raises again.

Cam control for strip advancing mechanism By referring to Figures 5 and'6, it will be seen thateach of the strip advancing mechanisms 84, 85 and 85 have associated therewith a cam 388. One cam 388 is loosely mounted around the shaft I25, another around sleeve 285, and another around sleeve 281. The lower end of each cam member has a slot 38I (Figure 5) therein 3, said bell crank 3II'being pivoted as at 3I2 to the framework 2I5. A spring 3 I3 normally tends to force the right hand end of link 388 into 1 peripheral grove 388 to hold member 384 in latched position and to hold cams 388 in such a position that the oscillating pawls I35 can not engage ratchets I 34. The horizontal leg of the bell crank 3 is adapted to normally support an f tending leg 3", said leg extending beneath portion 2'3Ia of the bracket 23I. A compression spring 3! normally tends to hold this laterally extending leg :3" in engagement with portion 23Ia. Upon the actuation of solenoid 286 (Figure 13) and the unlatching of the iron or heating unit 230, the bracket and iron will move downwardly, following cams 238 and 239. As the bracket 23I moves downwardly, the members 3I1 and 3I5 will likewise move downwardly to rotate the bell crank 3 in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure '1 to thereby move the right hand end of link 309 out of peripheral groove 308.

By referring to Figure 8, it is seen that a compression spring 320 normally tends to force the rod 304 to the right when the rod 304 is released, the cam members 300 are'rotated in a counterclockwise manner in Figure 5. Since the cam 300 has a high periphery 300a which is suflicient to hold the free end of dog I35 out of engagement with the ratchet I34, it is evident that the dog I35 can only engage the ratchet when point 30% has been rotated ina counter-clockwise manner a sufficient amount to permit engagement to be had, that is in a position where the low side of the cam 300 will permit the dog I35 to engage the teeth in ratchet I34, during the oscillation of lever I31. It is only when a hose or fabric 82 is present beneath the foot 214 when table 242 is raised that the cams 300 are rotated in a counter-clockwise manner as above described. When the right hand end of leg 309 (Figure '1) is released from peripheral groove 308, the rod 304 swiftly moves to the right in Figure 8 to a position where the free end of the link 309 will rest in groove 304a. After the transfer is applied, the cam 300 is returned to latched position by virtue of a suitable cam 325, which cam is fixedly secured on the shaft 'I44. This cam is adapted to engage a roller 326 fixed on an arm 321, said arm 321 being secured to the left hand endof the rod 304 (Figure 8). When the parts are latched in the position shown in Figure 8, the high side of the cam 325 will not engage the roller 328 until a fabric 82 contacts feeler 214 to effect an unlatching operation. It is only when the rod 304 has been permitted to move to the right in Figure 8 as a result of an unlatching of the heating unit that the cam 305 has any function. For a further understanding of the method of operation and the timing of certain elements, attention is called to Figure 14,

Motor circuit Wire 26I leads to one side of the motor II. From the other side of the motor, a wire 219 leads to a switch 280, which switch has leading from its other side a wire 28I said wire 28I contacting wire 251, previously described to complete the circuit.

Current is supplied to coil I88 on one side of transformer I83 from the main leads 251 and 26I by'means of a circuit comprising wires I89, I9I and I92. A manually operable switch I90 is disposed between wires I89 and I8I (Figure 13).

Referring again to Figure 6, it is seen that the advancing unit 94 works in conjunction with feed rollers I2I and I22 to advance the strip 90. In a similar manner, the unit 95 works in conjunction with similar rollers 290 and 29I to advance works in conjunction with rollers 292 and 293 to advance the strip 92. A ratchet I34 of the advancing unit 95 is fastened onto a hollow shaft 295'as at 295a, which shaft is telescoped over the shaft I25, and to this same shaft 295 the advancing feed roller 290 is secured by means of a suitable set screw 296. Likewise the ratchet I34 of advancing unit 96 is secured to the periphery of another hollow shaft 291 by means of set screw 291a, this shaft having the feed roller 292 secured thereto by means of set screw 298.- The advancing units 94, 95 and 96 are practically identical in structure. Where a plurality of strips are simultaneously used, each employing different lengths between transfer indicia, it is necessary to have independent means for positioning -these indicia relative to the .fabric 82; hence separate units 94, 95 and 96 are employed. This individual adjustment could not be effected if only one unit such as 95 were employed for all three transfer strips.

Figure 12 shows the appearance of a foot of a stocking after three transfer marks have been placed thereon. The toe of the hose 82 in Figure 12 has the trade-mark Muskeeter printed thereon. This trade-mark is transferred from the strip 90 which has been described. The intermediate mark on the foot of the stocking namely Triple Sole Rayon and Cotton is simultaneously transferred from the intermediate strip 9|; whereas the indicia on the heel namely Blocked 4 ply heel is simultaneously tran ferred from the strip 92. The distances between each of the above named marks vary on their respective strips; however, the spacing of each mark on its strip is uniform. It is here seen that any number of marks can be simultaneously placed on a fabric by having an individual control for each strip advancing mechanism. The fact that a number of marks are simultaneously applied to the transfer process speeds up the operation and increases the quality of work. As heretofore stated, when these transfers are placed on the stockings by manual means, the human ele- .ment enters and the uniformity of the finished In the drawings and specification, there has,

been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for transferring raised indicia from a strip to a fabric, said strip having substantially equally spaced transfer indicia thereon, comprising a heating element, means for intermittently advancing spaced fabrics beneath said element, means for simultaneously advancing said strip beneath said element, means operable by one of said raised indicia for stopping the advance of the strip while the fabrics are stationary and means for successively lowering said heating element into engagement with the strip and fabrics while stopped to cause the indicia to be transferred to the fabric.

2. Apparatus for transferring indicia from a strip to a fabric, said strip having substantially equal spaced transfer indicia thereon, comprising the heating element, means for intermittently adthe strip 9| and likewise the advancing unit 96 vancing spaced fabrics beneath said element, means for simultaneously advancing said strip and spaced indicia beneath said element, means strip to cause the indicia to be transferred to the fabric.

3. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the dlcia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position hosiery in spaced relation through the frame,

means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised.

4. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate'to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, meansfor lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, and means for automatically raising the heated member, lowering the stamped hose, advancing the stamped hose, advancing another hose to be stamped and again feeding the strip to present another indicia to another hose.

5. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip forarresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, means for automatically raising the heated member, lowering the stamped hose, advancing the stamped hose, advancing another hose to be stamped and again'feeding the strip to present another indicia to another hose,

said apparatus having means for supporting an additional transfer strip, and means for feeding the second strip to present an indicia thereon to another portion of the hose, while the first-named strip is eing fed to place an indicia in'transfer position. i

6. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having inready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose israised, said apparatus having means for supporting an additional transfer strip, and means for feeding the second strip to present an indicia thereon to another portion of the hose, while the first-named strip is being fed to place an indicia in transfer position.

7. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means forraising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the'strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, and means for engaging the hosiery as it is moved through the apparatus to detect the absence or presence of a hose, and means controlled by said eng ing means when a hose is not present to be engaged by the engaging means for preventing the feeding of the strip to prevent an indicia from being fed to a point below the heated means.

8. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, means for automatically raising the heated member, lowering the stamped hose, advancing the stamped hose, ad-

vancing another hose to be stamped and again feeding the strip to present another indicia to another hose, and means for engaging the hosiery as it is moved through the apparatus to detest the absence or presence of ahose, and means for preventing the feeding of the strip to prevent an indicia from being fed to a point below the heated means when a hose is not present to be engaged by the ensuing means.

9. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame,-means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause an indicia thereon tube in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, means for automatically raising the heated member, lowering the stamped hose, advancing the stamped hose, advancing another hose to be stamped and again feeding the strip to present another indicia to another hose, said apparatus having means for supporting an additional transfer strip, means for feeding the second strip to present an indicia thereon to another portion of the hose, while the first-named strip is being held to place an indicia in transfer position, and means for engaging the hosiery as it is moved through the apparatus to detect the absense or presence of a hose, and means controlled by said engaging means when a hose is not present to be engaged by the engaging means for preventing the feeding of the strip to prevent an indicia from being fed to a point below th heated means.

10. Apparatus for placing indicia on hosiery and other objects by a transfer process comprising a frame, means for intermittently feeding the hosiery in spaced relation through the frame, means for supporting a roll of strip material having indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for feeding the strip into a position proximate to the hose, means for raising the hose, electrical means controlled by the indicia on the strip for arresting the travel of the strip so as to cause the indicia thereon to be in a position ready to contact the hose, heated means for pressing the strip against the hose, means for lowering the heated means to press the strip against the hose while the hose is raised, said apparatus having means for supporting an additional transfer strip, means for feeding the second strip to present an indicia thereon to another portion of the hose, while the firstnamed strip is being fed to place an indicia in transfer position, means for engaging the hosiery as it is moved through the apparatus to detect the absence or presence of a hose, and means controlled by said engaging means when a hose is not present to be engaged by the engaging means for preventing the feeding of the strip to prevent an indicia from being fed to a point below the heated means.

11. Apparatus for applying transfers to ho.- siery, including a plurality of strips, each having raised indicia thereon to be transferred to the hosiery, means for conveying the hosiery step by step through the apparatus, means for feeding the strips to present an indicia on the strip to the hosiery, means controlled by the raised indicia on each strip for stopping travel of the strip when an indicia thereon is in position to be transferred to the hosiery, means for raising the hosiery, means for applying heat to the strips and pressing their indicia into contact with the.

hosiery, and means controlled by the absence of hosiery at a given place in the apparatus for preventing feeding of the strips.

12. Apparatus for transferring indicia from a strip to a fabric comprising a stamping element, means for supporting a fabric inspaced relation to said element, means for advancing said strip between the element and the fabric support, and means controlled by the indicia on the strip for moving said element into engagement with the strip and into engagement with a fabric while on the support to thereby cause indiciato be transferred to the fabric.

13. Apparatus for transferring indicia from a strip to a fabric comprising a stamping element, means for supporting a fabric in spaced relation to said element, means for advancing said strip between the element and the fabric support, means controlled by the indicia on the strip for moving said element into engagement with the strip and into engagement with a fabric while on the support to thereby cause indicia to be transferred to the fabric, and means for removing each fabric from said support after the indicia has been transferred.

14. Apparatus for transferring indicia from a strip to a fabric, comprising normally latched stamping element, a fabric support disposed in spaced relation to said element, an electrical 'circuit, a solenoid disposed in said circuit for operating said latch, a normally open switch in said circuit, a fabric feeler disposed above the support and being adapted to operate said switch, means for advancing said strip between the stamping element and fabric support, means for moving said support and fabric thereon toward said feeler whereby the fabric will engage the feeler to cause the switch to be closed, the solenoid to be energized and the stamping element to be unlatched, and means for moving the unlatched element into engagement with said strip and fabric to cause the transfer of the indicia to the fabric.

15. Apparatus for transferring indicia from a strip to a fabric, said strip having substantially equally spaced raised indicia thereon, comprising a stamping element, means for supporting a fabric in spaced relation to said element, means for advancing said strip between said fabric and WADE V; BOWMAN. CHESTER H. LA'I'I'A. 

